Reunion Fees
WHAT IT ALL COSTS: COLLEGE SUBSIDIES AND REUNION FEES
Like any major event, Reunion is an expensive undertaking. With less than two weeks between Commencement (when most of the students leave) and Reunion, there is little time to clean up the campus and make it ready for the arrival of over 1,100 of our friends. The grounds crew and custodians often work overtime during this period to make sure that the campus is in great shape for Reunion Weekend.
The registration fee only covers a portion of the weekend’s costs, which include, but are not limited to, grounds crew and custodians’ overtime wages, student workers, entertainment, some meals, major weekend events (see College-Sponsored Events), facility services, and the rental of golf carts, audio/visual equipment, tents, tables, chairs, and more. Bates’ Reunion fees are among the lowest when compared to fees set by peer institutions.
Responding to feedback from alumni, the Reunion housing fee will be based on a per night fee of $30. We are pleased to be able to offer this new fee structure and hope that it will help ease the cost of Reunion for those who will not be joining us for the entire weekend. The 5th Reunion has no charge for housing for the weekend. The 10th Reunion receives Reunion housing for a 50% discount. The 50th Reunion also has no charge for housing for the weekend.
Meals, which are subsidized by the Reunion budget, are available on an à la carte basis. We hope that this flexibility - requested by many alumni – will make Reunion more affordable and accessible for all.
The college handles the administration of all fees and invoices. Class fees are determined by each class’s Reunion committee and are determined by estimated attendance and class plans for the weekend. Also included in the class fee is a $65 college administrative fee. Alumni who have already celebrated their 50th Reunion are exempt from the $65 fee.
We recommend that you work closely with your programming liaison from the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement to structure your class’s budget and Reunion fee. A too-low Reunion fee creates cash flow problems and could force a change in plans; a too-high fee can discourage classmates from attending Reunion. Please note that all adult attendees must pay the Reunion fee, even if they are attending for just a portion of the weekend.
65th and 70th Reunion attendees are guests of the college for Reunion Weekend.